Research Article

Exaggerated IL-15 and Altered Expression of foxp3+ Cell-Derived Cytokines Contribute to Enhanced Colitis in Nlrp3−/− Mice

Figure 5

A neutralizing anti-IL-15 antibody normalizes the sensitivity of Nlrp3−/− mice to DSS and reduces colonic IL-17 expression. (a) Changes in body mass in WT mice, Nlrp3−/− mice treated with 5 μg IgG isotype (iso) control, or Nlrp3−/− mice treated with an anti-IL-15 (-IL-15) antibody through a 7-day course of DSS (3.5% w/v). denotes compared to WT and Nlrp3−/−  -IL-15; /group. (b) Representative hematoxylin and eosin stained colonic sections (scale bar = 100 microns) and (c) blind assessment of tissue damage and inflammation in WT mice, Nlrp3−/− mice treated with 5 μg IgG isotype (iso) control, or Nlrp3−/− mice treated with an anti-IL-15 (-IL-15) antibody on day 7 of DSS. denotes compared to WT mice; # denotes compared to Nlrp3−/− mice treated with the IgG isotype control antibody; /group. (d) Assessment of colonic tissue MPO levels and (e) colonic foxp3+ cells/HPF in WT mice, Nlrp3−/− mice treated with an IgG isotype (iso) control antibody, and Nlrp3−/− mice treated with a neutralizing anti-IL-15 (-IL-15) antibody on day 7 of DSS. denotes compared to WT mice; # denotes compared to Nlrp3−/− mice treated with the IgG isotype control antibody; ## denotes compared to Nlrp3−/− mice treated with the IgG isotype control antibody; /group. (f) The expression of IL-10, IL-12p40, and IL-17 in colonic tissue isolated from Nlrp3−/− mice treated with an IgG isotype (iso) control antibody and Nlrp3−/− mice treated with a neutralizing anti-IL-15 (-IL-15) antibody on day 7 of DSS. denotes compared to Nlrp3−/− mice treated with an IgG isotype (iso) control antibody; /group.
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